Dryness, irritation and pain are all-too-common vaginal symptoms that many women suffer in silence. These uncomfortable issues often crop up during times of wild hormonal fluctuations — such as after having a baby, while breastfeeding, or during perimenopause and menopause.
Vaginal dryness is mostly due to a drop in estrogen. When estrogen levels are low, symptoms can increase. Learn what can make the problem worse and how to find relief from symptoms of vaginal dryness.
The connection between low estrogen levels and vaginal dryness
When the hormone estrogen is plentiful, it helps support a healthy vagina. It ensures that the tissues that make up the walls of the vagina remain thick, pliable and resilient. It also helps keep those tissues moisturized.
There are several points in a woman’s life when estrogen levels take a nosedive. Post-childbirth is a big one. During pregnancy, estrogen levels soar, then drop abruptly right after your baby is born. If you breastfeed, estrogen levels can remain low until your baby stops nursing.
Another time of life that comes with wild hormonal fluctuations is menopause — and the time leading up to it, known as perimenopause. During perimenopause, estrogen levels can swing up and down. After your last menstrual period, estrogen drops and remains low for the rest of your life.
Common causes of vaginal dryness
While pregnancy, perimenopause and menopause may be the most common reasons for vaginal dryness, they aren’t the only causes.
Other things that can lead to vaginal dryness include:
- Antidepressants
- Birth control pills
- Cancer treatment
- Medically induced menopause (resulting from chemotherapy or ovary removal)
- Medications to treat uterine fibroids or endometriosis
- Smoking
Painful sex and other symptoms of vaginal dryness
Many women first notice signs of vaginal dryness when they try to have sex — often after a prolonged period of no intercourse. They find that the lack of lubrication in the vagina makes sex painful or even impossible. In some cases, the thinner, drier walls of the vagina may tear, causing pain and bleeding.
Vaginal dryness can also cause discomfort and health issues beyond painful intercourse. Women with vaginal dryness may experience irritation during exercise or when tight clothing rubs against the vulva. Vaginal dryness also increases the risk of urinary tract infections.
Treatments for vaginal dryness
Depending on what’s causing vaginal dryness, there are a variety of ways to treat it. If the condition is the result of a medication or treatment, talk to your doctor about alternatives that might alleviate that side effect.
If vaginal dryness is the result of an underlying medical condition, getting an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment might also relieve dryness.
Vaginal dryness is most common after menopause and its related estrogen loss, affecting as many as 50% of postmenopausal women. For this group, estrogen therapy is often recommended.
When vaginal dryness and painful sex are the main symptoms, estrogen creams, suppositories or vaginal rings can provide relief. These methods deliver estrogen directly to vaginal tissues, minimizing any possible risks or side effects associated with traditional hormone therapy.
No matter the cause of the dryness, vaginal moisturizers or lubricants can also help relieve symptoms. Moisturizers should be used regularly (several times a week) to help keep vaginal tissue healthy. Lubricants are designed to use before intercourse.
If you are experiencing vaginal dryness, it’s important to speak with your healthcare provider. They can help pinpoint the cause and offer you options that will relieve symptoms and help make sex less painful.
